General elections were held in Botswana on 20 October 1979.

The result was a fourth successive landslide victory for the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), which won 29 of the 32 elected seats,[1] including two in which they were unopposed.

[2] The BDP campaigned on opposition to apartheid in South Africa and a call for economic sanctions against Zimbabwe-Rhodesia.

[3] Prior to the elections, the voter roll was completely revamped.

The revision was accompanied by a vigorous radio and press campaign by the government to encourage registration.